Howdy, aperitif Fiends! Welcome to the first-ever edition of Nightmare on Film Street’s COCKTAIL-A-TORIUM – the new bi-monthly column in which we conjure up a classic cocktail with a HORROR FILM twist!
Inspired by this week’s episode of the Nightmare on Film Street Podcast; SEQUEL QUEENS! Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II vs. The Rage: Carrie 2, we’ve conjured up a flirty, smoky twist on a Gimlet! We’ve elevated the simple classic with frisky fresh elements to add some doo-wop to your cup – like the burnt pine aroma of roseMary [Lou], and the bright burst of sugar-sweet grenadine. This lime/gin concoction is all dolled up and ready for prom.
Let’s get shaking!
To start, you’re going to need to round up your date your ingredients, tools, and glassware. We’re brewing up our own special syrup for this bad girl gimlet, so we’ll do that separately.
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz. rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
- 2 oz. dry gin
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice (half of a freshly squeezed lime should do!)
- 1/4 oz. grenadine
- a sprig of fresh rosemary, for garnish
Cocktail-A-Torium Torture Chamber (Tools, Duh)
- cocktail shaker
- strainer
- small saucepan
- whisk
- fire
The Vessel
We’re not too hoity-toity here at Nightmare on Film Street about glassware, but we try. Traditionally, a Gimlet is served in a stemmed cocktail or martini glass. But because we’re playing with fire, we opted for a tulip-shaped Glencairn Whisky Glass. The tulip shape not only allows our smoky rosemary aroma to dance in the bowl, but it also emulates the empire skirt of our dear Mary Lou Maloney’s prom dress. Function and fashion, people.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
In a small saucepan, combine equal parts water and sugar. De-sprig your fresh rosemary and combine. Bring to heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until sugar has completely dissolved. Your syrup should have a slightly resiny, greenish tinge, and the rosemary aroma will be very evident. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before straining and storing in a sealed glass container in the fridge until ready to use. This Rosemary Simple Syrup recipe yields 5-6 Mary Lou Gimlets.
Get the Party Started
Before you start, toss your vessel in the freezer for added chill factor. Measure your gin, simple syrup, lime juice, and grenadine into a cocktail shaker. Fill 3/4 of the way with ice, and shake for about 20-30 seconds. My personal rule is when your fingers get too darn cold to keep on shaking, you’re good to go. Strain and pour into the (now-chilled) glass.
Accoutrements (Garnish)
To add some heat to our prom attire, it’s time to burn our rosemary (safely, my fiends). I tried my best with just a lighter, but it was a pretty slow process. I found the barbecue to be the most efficient way. It helped block the wind and allowed me more control overall. Fresher rosemary is better for this step (straight from the garden is ideal), as you don’t want to ignite the sprig completely, but singe the edges. If your rosemary is on the dry side, you may want to soak in water ahead of time.
Also, best to time this step right, because you want to drop your smoky boys into the glass while they are still smoking.
Is that the doorbell? Looks like your date is here, and just on time! Remember to watch for open flames, tongue-tastic rocking horses, possessed paper cutters, blackboards from hell, and tomb-like trunks in the storage room. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.
Show us your “HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT 2 Inspired Blushing Gimlet with Burnt Rosemary” over on Twitter, Reddit, or in the Horror Movie Fiend Club on Facebook! And while you sip it down, listen to the latest episode of the Nightmare on Film Street Horror Movie Podcast!
Until next time, Cocktail-A-Torium Creeps!
